Move up to 300 mag
 

Couple questions. I have a 7 mm mag and a 35 Whelen and am thinking of trading up to a 300 mag. The rifle will be used for elk and moose.
1. Is the move necessary?
2. What rifle would you reccomend? (would like something in the 6.5-7 pound range).
Looking forward to your comments.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Going from the 7mmremmag to a 300win mag will gain you some energy but the difference is not all that great.A 6.5lb 300winmag will however have substancial recoil.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I agree with stubblejumper.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I think you are well equipped with what you have. At least where moose are concerned. The Whelen is as good as it gets. The 7 Mag is every bit the elk gun as the 300. Just my take on it. I have used the 280 for both critters and never had one not go down. There is nothing wrong with the 300 Win Mag. I would prefer it by far to the 7 MM Mag. However if you have the 7 Mag and you like it then it will do about anything the 300 will do.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I like the 7 Rem. mag. better than the 300 Win. Mag., why? because of two reasons. First i don't like recoil, and 300's recoil more than 7 mags.'s. Secondly, i've yet to see a 300 Win. mag. kill anything better than a 7mm Rem. mag...

I've used them both a LOT on Alaskan game, and in the field the 300 Win. mag. hasn't shined over the Rem. 7 mag. for me!!

If you choose the "right" bullet for the job, it's a wash, so why put up with more recoil??? Less recoil = a gun that's easier to shoot more accurately.

Drilling Man

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

recoil wouldn't be too bad in that size rifle with a 300wsm.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Contrary to what people might have you believe,The 300wsm recoil is not much less than that of the 300winmag.I compared a tikka t-3 in 300wsn to a remington 700 in 300winmag and the tikka actually felt like it delivered more recoil due to the lighter gun weight.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Choosing between a 7mm and 300 magnum is like picking heads or tails on a quarter. The animal you are shooting at will never know the difference. The result will still be a dead animal. 24 thousandths of an inch is not a whole heck of a lot to be worried about. 160 grain 7mm bullet vs a 180 grain 308 bullet. The difference at 400 yards is equal to a 17HMR. Not too much huh.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Since everyone is kind of discouraging you here, let me say it another way.

You don't need it, based on what you have now. Just like everyone else has posted.

However, you should absolutely get it. For crying out loud, why not?!! And I wouldn't stop there - - really, I DIDN'T stop there. Your not gonna get one in your next lifetime, might as well do it now.

JMHO

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Had a 7mm rem mag love it, got a 300 min mag love it too.....do you need it- no, but do you want it is what you wanna ask yourself. Personally i dont own a gun that dont let me know its there when i pull the trigger... if you want something to really put a lickin on a moose or elk look at the marlin 45 70 guide gun.. got one last year and didnt use anything else all season.